Private
2 or more people
1 Day
The Pacaya Samiria full day tour is one of the best experiences to discover the Peruvian Amazon from Iquitos in a single day, combining nature, culture, and incredible adventure. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in Peru, where rivers, lagoons, and flooded forests create breathtaking landscapes and host a great variety of wild flora and fauna. This destination is ideal for those who want to connect with Amazonian nature and learn closely about its living traditions.
Located in the Loreto region, near the city of Iquitos, Pacaya Samiria is home to native communities that preserve ancestral knowledge about the use of medicinal plants and coexistence with the natural environment. Its rivers, such as the Marañón and Yanayacu, provide perfect settings for observing emblematic species such as pink dolphins, exotic birds, and Amazonian reptiles, turning every journey into an unforgettable experience.
This tour is a complete one-day excursion that begins with the transfer from Iquitos to Nauta and continues with navigation along the Marañón River, visits to native communities, and guided walks to learn about the local flora and fauna. During the experience, you will be able to observe pink and gray dolphins, enjoy a typical Amazonian lunch, go piranha fishing and swim in the Yanayacu River, all while surrounded by jungle landscapes and spectacular sunsets, in an adventure designed to make the most of your time in the Amazon.
The tour starts early from Iquitos at 5:00 a. m. heading to Nauta by land transportation, followed by navigation along the Marañón River to the native community of Casual for an ethnobotanical walk and contact with Amazonian wildlife. Then you will continue to Nauta Caño with sightings of birds, pink and gray dolphins, entry into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and a typical lunch at Purhua lagoon, continuing with piranha fishing and time to swim, to finally return to Nauta at sunset and transfer for the return to Iquitos.
Live a unique experience in the Peruvian Amazon with this tour, ideal for those seeking an excursion to Pacaya Samiria from Iquitos in a single day, full of nature, culture, and adventure.
The day begins very early with pickup from your hotel in Iquitos (5:00 a.m.) to start the ground transfer to the city of Nauta, located approximately 100 km (2 hours) away. During the journey, you will enjoy Amazonian landscapes and learn more about this city, considered the gateway to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, inhabited by communities dedicated to agriculture and fishing.
From Nauta, you will begin the excursion to Pacaya Samiria aboard a boat, navigating the Marañón River until reaching the native community of Casual, on a trip of approximately one hour. Here you will take part in a guided ethnobotanical walk, where you will closely learn about the use of Amazonian medicinal plants, as well as observe local wildlife such as anacondas (boas), tarantulas, and dendrobates frogs. In addition, you will have the opportunity to appreciate traditional handicrafts and learn about the community’s lifestyle.
The excursion to Pacaya Samiria from Iquitos continues with a navigation of approximately 45 minutes to Nauta Caño. During this journey, you will enjoy sightings of macaws, herons, parakeets, and birds of prey, as well as the fascinating encounter with pink and gray dolphins in their natural habitat, one of the most outstanding experiences of the tour. You will also explore lush forest areas, ideal for observing Amazonian biodiversity.
Upon arrival at the control post, the entry registration to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve will take place, one of the most important protected areas in the Peruvian Amazon. Then, you will continue to Purhua Lagoon, where you will enjoy a typical lunch on board, prepared with local ingredients.
Afterward, you will take part in sport fishing for piranhas using traditional techniques, as well as free time to swim in the calm waters of the Yanayacu River. This activity is part of an authentic jungle experience in Pacaya Samiria, ideal for those seeking adventure and direct contact with nature.
Finally, around 5:00 p.m., the return to Nauta begins, enjoying a spectacular Amazon sunset along the way. Arrival in Nauta is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m., followed by the journey back to the city of Iquitos. This tour concludes with transfer and arrival at your hotel in Iquitos, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience.
This Pacaya Samiria full day tour from Iquitos is perfect for those who wish to experience a complete Amazon expedition in a short time, combining nature, culture, and adventure in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.
During this one-day experience in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, everything is organized so you can enjoy the Amazon without worrying about logistics. These are the services included in your tour:
Although the tour covers the main services, there are some additional items you should take into account:
Get ready for an adventure in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, where the climate is warm, humid, and with a high presence of insects. This guide will help you bring what you need to enjoy your experience comfortably, safely, and without setbacks during your excursion from Iquitos.
If you are organizing your Pacaya Samiria full day tour from Iquitos, an unforgettable excursion in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, it is normal to have questions before booking. Here we answer your most common questions so you can plan your experience without worries.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is located in the Loreto region, in the northeastern Amazon of Peru. The Pacaya Samiria full day tour starts in the city of Iquitos (104 m a.s.l.), capital of Loreto, from where you travel by road to Nauta (approx. 100 km south of Iquitos) and then by river through the Marañón River.
The tour takes place in a lowland Amazon rainforest area, with altitudes ranging from 100 m a.s.l. in Iquitos and the Marañón River to approximately 130 m a.s.l. within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, so there is no risk of altitude sickness.
The tour can be done all year round in Loreto, but the experience varies depending on the season:
The tour lasts approximately 14 to 15 hours in total, starting at 5:00 a.m. in Iquitos, with land transfer to Nauta (2 hours) and then river navigation between 1.5 to 2 hours to the exploration area within the reserve.
No previous experience is required. The Pacaya Samiria full day tour from Iquitos has a moderate difficulty level and is designed for travelers without experience, as long as they have basic physical condition suitable for short hikes and outdoor activities.
During the journey along the Marañón and Yanayacu rivers, in the Loreto region, it is possible to observe pink and gray dolphins, macaws, herons, monkeys, exotic frogs, tarantulas, and even anacondas, depending on the conditions of the day and the season.
Yes, swimming is safe in specific areas of the Yanayacu River, always under the supervision of the guide. These areas are previously evaluated to avoid risks related to currents or wildlife.
The climate in Iquitos and the reserve is warm and humid, with temperatures ranging between 24 °C and 34 °C. Humidity is high throughout the year and sudden rains may occur, so it is recommended to bring waterproof clothing.
Yes, the tour is suitable for children and older adults who are in good health. However, due to the duration of the trip and the jungle conditions in Loreto, it is recommended to evaluate the physical endurance of each participant.
No, during most of the journey in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, especially in areas such as the Yanayacu River or Purhua Lagoon, there is no mobile signal coverage or internet access.
The Casual native community is located approximately 1 hour by boat from Nauta, navigating along the Marañón River. There, an ethnobotanical walk takes place where visitors learn about Amazonian medicinal plants and local traditions of the Loreto region.
Yes, the pink and gray dolphins of the Marañón River, near Nauta and within the reserve, can be observed throughout the year. However, sightings depend on natural factors such as weather and river level, being more frequent during the high-water season.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
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